Mayweather says his career has '24 months left'

LAS VEGAS - The promotion model for Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s remaining four fights has changed after his latest display of brilliance.

From now on, his co-promoter and pay-per-view executive said late Saturday, his fights will be sold as appreciations, not as threats to his unbeaten record.

"From what we saw tonight, it doesn't matter who you put in front of him, he can beat them," fight promoter Richard Schaefer said. "He's a once-in-a-generation fighter."

Mayweather is now 45-0, and despite a highly questionable 114-114 scorecard by one judge, he was masterful again in taking two world light-middleweight belts away from Mexico's previously unbeaten Saul "Canelo" Alvarez via majority decision at a sold-out MGM Grand.

The punch stats said it all about Mayweather's latest display of fast hands, quick feet, and sharp thinking. Punches connected: Mayweather 232, Alvarez 117. Jabs connected: Mayweather 139, Alvarez 44.

"What Floyd's established is that he's one of the best of all time, and we have a limited window to enjoy his skills," said Stephen Espinoza, Showtime's executive vice president of sports.

In beating a world champion for the 19th time, Mayweather, 36, appears committed to fulfilling the four remaining bouts on his Showtime deal - which earned him a guaranteed $41.5 million plus pay-per-view bonuses for Saturday's fight - and then retiring.

"I've only got 24 months left," Mayweather said. "This champion will carry the torch. Tonight was just my night."

So, who could be the next opponent? Mayweather said he will fight again in May.

Maybe it'll be unbeaten junior-welterweight world champion Danny Garcia of Juniata Park, who was impressive in defeating hard-punching Lucas Matthysse by unanimous decision in the co-main event at MGM Grand.

Another option could emerge from the winners of welterweight fights pitting Amir Khan against Devon Alexander on Dec. 7 and Marcos Maidana against Adrien Broner on Dec. 14.

"At this point, Manny Pacquiao is not in my plans," Mayweather said.

Obviously, Alvarez was popular to judge C.J. Ross, whose scorecard wasn't close to those of fellow judges Craig Metcalfe (117-111 for Mayweather) and Dave Moretti (116-112).

"That scorecard was a disgrace," Schaefer said.

"I thought it was a joke, I was kind of shocked," said Mayweather.

Keith Kizer, executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission who gave Ross the assignment after her disputed nod to Timothy Bradley by decision over Pacquiao in 2012, said: "It was one of those things. ... If you look round by round, there were some close rounds."

Ross disagreed with both Metcalfe and Moretti in giving Alvarez the first and eighth rounds.